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Rachel Barnes

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Evanston Made presents First Saturday Evanston Art Events. This self-guided tour invites patrons to see art on display, shop for art and handmade goods, learn to sketch and make ART Friends!

FIRST SATURDAY ART EVENTS LISTINGS BY NEIGHBORHOOD
CITYWIDE : Artist Studio Tour&nbsp;
This free, self-guided tour of Artist Studios in Evanston, is hosted over two days, Saturday &amp; Sunday, October 4, 12-5p. Meet artists, tour studios, shop for local art!&nbsp; List of participating artists at <a href="https://evanstonmade.org/2026-studio-tour/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">https://evanstonmade.org/2026-studio-tour/</a>
MAIN DEMPSTER MILE
Art Exhibit
<ul><li>SPACE900: A Thousand Cuts. Evanston artist James Deeb presents a pop-up art exhibition the first weekend of October at Space 900 Gallery. Entitled A Thousand Cuts, it features twenty paintings and drawings, many of which are being shown for the first time. All of the pieces are from more experimental aspects of artist’s practice, such as oils on sized linen and expressive charcoals on paper, creating something both unusual and unique. 816 Dempster St., 12-5p</li><li>HIVE Center for the Book Arts: 840 Custer Ave.,10a-6p</li></ul>
NEW SHOP
<ul><li>Shop Evanston Made: Browse original art and handmade goods created by Evanston Made members. 822 Dempster St., 12-5p</li></ul>
Book Signings
<ul><li>Compass Realty: Evanston Authors Books &amp; Bookmarks. Come see the books Evanston is writing. Meet authors, get signed copies and custom fidget bookmarks. Signed books make great gifts! Get an early start on gift-giving season. 814 Dempster St., 12-4p</li></ul>
Make Art!&nbsp;
<ul><li>Sketching at Sketchbook Brewing Company. Sketchbook teams up with Evanston Made to offer sketching tips and free materials. Bob &amp; Hilda will be on hand with sketching tips and a variety of FREE materials are provided! FREE to attend. RSVP here. Sketchbook Brewery, 821 Chicago Ave., 1-2:30p</li></ul>
Art in Business
<ul><li>BrothersK: Studio Tour Artist: Joyce Elias, art on exhibit and for sale. 2006 Central St., 7a-5p</li><li>Evanston Pour: Studio Tour Artists; Alice George &amp; Beth Adler, art on exhibit and for sale. 528 Dempster St., 8a-9p</li><li>Windfree Solar Cafe: Studio Tour Artist: Jean Cunningham, art on exhibit and for sale. 517 Dempster St., 8a-6p</li></ul>

WEST VILLAGE
New Studio
<ul><li>Out of the Fire Clay Studio: Out of the Fire Clay Studio, formerly Fireheads Clay, is reopening! Tour the new studio and learn about studio membership and classes. 1400 Greenleaf St., 12-4p</li></ul>

DOWNTOWN EVANSTON
Mid-Show Reception
<ul><li>Saw Room Gallery: 1712 Sherman Ave., 12-5p</li></ul>
Art Openings
<ul><li>Grove Gallery: 619 Grove St., 2-5p&nbsp;</li></ul>

CENTRAL STREET&nbsp;
Art on Exhibit
<ul><li>Northminster Presbyterian Church Tower Gallery: Based on the book Lilies of Gaza – Women Artists in the Time of War, this beautifully curated show unveils intimate life stories and artistic journeys of women who have faced war, loss, and displacement – yet chose to resist through art. Each artist’s story captures moments of pain and perseverance, and together their voices form a collective testimony of survival, hope and artistic defiance in the face of devastation. Lilies of Gaza comes to Northminster through Bright Stars of Bethlehem, a U.S. nonprofit which raises awareness and support for Dar al-Kalima University, the first and only university for arts, culture, and design in all of Palestine. Bright Stars’ desire to help the people of Palestine flourish and have life in abundance has gained supporters around the U.S. 2515 Central Park Ave., 1-3p</li></ul>
Art in Business
<ul><li>The Famous Taco Burger: Robert Potter Journey to Guanajuato, Mexico. 2901 Central St. Meet the Artist, 11a-12:30p</li><li>Great Harvest: Val Zee mulit-media paintings. Free Coffee with Great Harvest Bread purchase! 2126 Central St., 8a-2p</li><li>Curt’s Cafe: Studio Tour Artists; Alice George, Bonnie Katz, Craig Jobson, Ken Krimstein, , art on exhibit and for sale. 2922 Central St. 8a-3p</li><li>Backlot: Studio Tour Artist: Kristen Neveu, art on exhibit and for sale. 2006 Central St., 7a-5p</li></ul>
***
FIRST SATURDAYS in 2026
January 3, February 7, March 7, April 4, May 2, June 6, July 4, August 1, September 5, October 3, November 7, December 5
About Evanston Made
Started as an Artist Studio Tour in June 2014, by a group of volunteer art advocates, Evanston Made has grown into a 400+ member organization with year round events and hyper local online shopping portal - <a href="https://shopevanstonmade.org/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">shopevanstonmade.org</a>
Evanston Made is a registered 501(c)3 nonprofit arts organization with the mission to connect Evanston creatives to the public through programming and events. Learn more at evanstonmade.org and consider <a href="https://evanstonmade.org/donate/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">making a donation</a> of any amount to support programs that drive our mission.

Local Event: First Saturday Art Events • Evanston, IL

First Saturday Art Events • Evanston, IL

Evanston Made presents First Saturday Evanston Art Events. This self-guided tour invites patrons to see art on display, shop...

North Shore Center for the Performing Arts in Skokie

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The Skokie Valley Symphony Orchestra has merged with the Park Ridge Civic Orchestra to become the new Third Coast Symphony. Join us for a post-concert reception to celebrate Third Coast Symphony’s opening night!
Tickets $35-$44.25; children/students $14-$20.60

Local Event: Third Coast Symphony: Rhapsody in Blue & A World Premiere

Third Coast Symphony: Rhapsody in Blue & A...

Third Coast Symphony's opening concert features beloved classics, plus a new commissioned work by Kareem Roustom.
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1521 S. Linn White Dr., Northerly Island, Chicago, IL 60605

FEATURING ELDERBROOK LIVE AT SUNSET
The Wellness Retreat is taking over Chicago’s Northerly Island for one unforgettable day of movement, music, mindfulness and connection.
Move alongside leading instructors. Discover fresh ways to feel your best. Recharge by the lake, connect with your people and close out the day with a live sunset performance by Elderbrook.
This isn’t wellness as usual. It’s immersive, energizing and meant to be experienced out loud—together.
AND THAT’S JUST THE BEGINNING.

For more information, <a href="https://speakeasygo.com/the-wellness-retreat/the-wellness-retreat-chicago?eid=EVE-I2830I" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">click here.&nbsp;</a>

(Photo Credit: © 2026 The Wellness Retreat. All rights reserved.)

Local Event: The Wellness Retreat: A Festival Where Mind, Body, and Music Meet

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FEATURING ELDERBROOK LIVE AT SUNSET
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Donald E. Stephen's Convention Center

Lulu La Reina becomes the first-ever professional wrestler to appear at the 2026 Chicago Ultimate Women’s Expo — the largest women’s expo in the United States.&nbsp;
Meet Lulu on October 24 and 25 at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, 5555 N River Rd, Rosemont, IL. Lulu La Reina is an emerging independent wrestler with 2+ years of experience competing across the country. Known as the Mexican Barbie, Lulu blends fierce, competitive energy with a vibrant personality, fashion style and proud Mexican heritage. She uses her platform to champion mental health awareness and women empowerment.&nbsp;
The Chicago Ultimate Women’s Expo brings together top brands, live talks, demos, complimentary glam services, a fashion show, and more in one location. Featured guests include Melissa Gilbert, Vivica A. Fox, Valerie Bertinelli, Porsha Williams, Rasheeda, and more to be announced.&nbsp;
&nbsp;🎟️ Get tickets at ChicagoWomensExpo.com Or visit SurgeDurango.com for a direct link, mention SurgeDurango / Lulu La Reina.

Local Event: SurgeDurango presents Lulu La Reina, Professional Wrestler at Chicago Ultimate Women's Expo

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First Saturday Art Events • Evanston, IL

Third Coast Symphony: Rhapsody in Blue & A World Premiere

The Wellness Retreat: A Festival Where Mind, Body, and Music Meet

SurgeDurango presents Lulu La Reina, Professional Wrestler at Chicago Ultimate Women's Expo